79-year-old Joe Biden, during a news conference on Thursday, said “No one expected the sanctions to prevent anything from happening” in Ukraine, apparently opposite from prior White House statements that prioritized the value of deterrence.
The remark came as he announced new sanctions on Russia in response for its invasion into Ukraine, which began early Thursday, marking the latest round of sanctions announced by the U.S.
“No one expected the sanctions to prevent anything from happening,” Biden said. “This could take time and we have to show resolve so he knows what’s coming and so the people of Russia know what he’s brought on them, this is what this is all about.”
“… This is going to take time, it’s not going to occur…he’s gonna say ‘Oh, my God, these sanctions are coming, I’m gonna stand down'”, Biden claimed.
But Biden’s claim that the sanctions were not expected to prevent Russia’s actions was very different to past claims by his administration, including his own vice president.
“The purpose of the sanctions has always been and continues to be deterrence,” Kamala Harris said on Sunday, before the U.S. imposed sanctions. Continued Below
Harris then noted that sanctions are a product of a “shared perspective among our Allies.”
“And the Allied relationship is such that we have agreed that the deterrence effect of these sanctions is still a meaningful one, especially because…we still sincerely hope that there is a diplomatic path out of this moment,” she said. “And within the context then of the fact that that window is still open although it is absolutely narrowing — but within the context of a diplomatic path still being open, the deterrence effect, we believe, has merit.”
On Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about Biden’s comment that “no one expected the sanctions to prevent anything from happening”. She claimed, in part, “that’s not exactly what he meant.” Continued Below
Joe Biden on sanctions:
President Biden: "I have no idea what he's threatening. I know what he has done. No one expected the sanctions to prevent anything from happening. This is going to take time. We have to show resolve." pic.twitter.com/rkKq60CG0q
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 24, 2022
Psaki: “That’s not exactly what [Biden] meant.”
Asked about Biden's comment that "no one expected the sanctions to prevent anything from happening," Psaki claims "that's not exactly what he meant." pic.twitter.com/v7PKXKZpGm
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 24, 2022
Meanwhile, RNC Research compiled a video compilation of the Biden administration “saying the exact opposite for weeks”.
Today Biden said “no one expected” sanctions on Russia “to prevent anything from happening.”
His administration has been saying the EXACT OPPOSITE for weeks. pic.twitter.com/CkvJmQLCm9
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 24, 2022
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